What I've Learned at Badger Creek

I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED working at Badger Creek this summer as an OYA counselor. I got the opportunity to work with hundreds of kids and help them to develop and build testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. As a counselor, I feel like i was the one that learned the most. I am so grateful for all that I learned at Badger Creek. I made a list of things I have learned... so here it goes.

• It is important to learn how to have absolute pure fun, without sarcasm. Learn to make jokes and have fun, not at the expense of other people.
• The youth pay close attention to the labels you give them. Give them positive labels. Negative labels drag them down.
• You have some sort of influence on every person you will ever come in contact with. Make it an influence for the better.
• Everything in life can be applied to the gospel. Everything. From plants, to light posts, to chairs, to smores, to styrofoam cups... there is an application. Look for applications! So fun!
• You always, always, always have room for improvement. Evaluate yourself often.
• It is important to correct people's wrong actions with love. Be sure to help them feel your love, and know that you care about them. This will help them to respect your opinions, and care about changing inappropriate actions.
• There are times to be serious, and there are times to have fun. Recognize the differences and act appropriately.
• Every boring activity can be made fun in some way or another. You just have to find a way!
• Bad apples can poison a group.

• 
  Listening takes care of conflict.
• Intolerance is bred by a lack of understanding.
• There is great power in asking the right questions. Good processing does not come in speeches on soap boxes. It comes in asking good questions and developing conversation.
• You learn the most when you teach.
• Effective leaders have a genuine love for group members.
• Ropes courses can be real life parables.
• Absolute loyalty is important. Absolute loyalty to the staff, the kids, and our Savior. "if we sink the ship, we sink it together."
• While at Badger Creek, it has been important to ask myself these questions often: Why am i really here? What is my purpose? What is my duty? Who am I serving?
• Set goals often. Write them down. Always be improving.
• I have learned my favorite scripture. Alma 26:12
• I have learned what I need to be anchored to.
• God is the ultimate facilitator. He is all about experiential education. That's probably why he loves Badger Creek so much! We teach like he does!
• It is important to reach out to "The one" just like the Savior always did.
• Sometimes in life, it is hard to love someone. Pray to feel the love that Heavenly Father has for that specific individual. You WILL feel love for them.
• Pray as if everything depended on the Lord, and then work as if everything depended on you.
• Studying your scriptures is so important! Make a habit of it!
• Your arms and abdominals are so sore after 100 pushups and 100 crunches a day. Sometimes you have to break things down in order to make them stronger.
• "The hardest things in life: Crossing a barbed wire fence leaning toward you. Kissing a girl leaning away from you. And staying awake after a large meal. Everything else in life is easy."
• Some people think they are chickens when really they are eagles. Show them they are eagles. Point their heads toward the sky.
• 
  The only three things i really need to know: God is God, He sent His Son to earth for me, and they have work for me to do.
• It is important to confront brutal facts.
• Find your passions in life.
• Don't compare yourself to other people. Compare yourself to yourself.
• The only thing you have to give to God that was truly yours to give in the first place is your will.
• I have learned how to teach by the spirit.
• "To the immature, other people are not real." - Harry Overstreet
• You can feel God's love just by taking a look around you! If he didn't love us, why would He have given us this beautiful earth?
• The youth of the church are incredible.
• I have learned that I have an irrational pet peeve of dishes in the sink... AHHH! I hate it!
• Sayings I have acquired: "Yah bay bay!" (Yah baby) "Sometimes in life.... (fill in the blank)" "this is why we can't have nice things!" "im not a motivational speaker, you're just gunna have to do it!" "so help me! (threateningly)" "Estoy limpiando en la cocina! Estoy trabajando en la cocina! Estoy bilando en la cocina! Estoy cantando en la cocina! (in song version)" I have also acquired a spanish accent. It comes and goes quite often.
• Every single person on this earth has incredible potential. One of the greatest tragedies of our time is that people tend to live far below it. Realize your potential, and then help others realize theirs too!
• The words "Arnold is in the trough" have significant and unwanted meaning at Badger Creek.
• You can't have a rainbow without rain, and you cant have a beautiful sunset without clouds.